Trackdown ManagementTrackdown Management’s City Manager Newsletter: Volume No. 19: Issue No. 07

For over 15 years, Jack Simpson’s Trackdown Management has published the City Manager Newsletter. Jack is a retired city manager and former Willdan executive. His newsletter content weaves together the personal side of the profession in California and helps keep the city manager community, especially retired city managers, connected with each other.

Picking Up the Pieces

Huntington Beach Deputy City Manager Jennifer Carey has decided to leave municipal government service in order to work as Chief of Staff for State Senator Tony Strickland of California’s 36th Senatorial District. Jennifer said she met Tony when he won the election to the Huntington Beach City Council in 2022. Jennifer earned a BA in political science and an MA in communications from Arizona State University. She first joined the Huntington Beach city staff in 2021 as the Public Information Officer for the police department. In addition to its Orange County areas, District 36 includes Los Angeles County cities of Artesia, Cerritos and Hawaiian Gardens.

Ambassador Candace A. Bond, 59, has been retained to serve as Interim City Manager for the City of Malibu. She previously served as the United States Ambassador to Trinidad and Tobago. She is a 30-year resident of the City of Malibu. The Ambassador has been involved in education and community development. She served on the Board of the Los Angeles County Office of Education and as Co-Chair of the MLK Community Development Corporation. She earned an MBA from the University of Harvard Business School. She succeeds city manager Steve McClary.

Chris Huot is the new City Manager for the City of Paso Robles. Chris joined the city staff in January 2022 as Assistant City Manager. He served as interim city manager twice. In 2024 he filled in during City Manager Ty Lewis’s leave of absence, and again when Ty left the city in January 2025. Before coming to Paso Robles, Chris worked for the city of Bakersfield from February 2011 until December 2021. He was the Bakersfield Assistant City Manager between February 2015 and December 2021. Chris earned a BA and MA in communications from Texas Tech University. In 2021 he received a 10 Year ICMA Service Award. Chris is an ICMA Credentialed Manager.

Blue Lake city manager Amanda “Mandy” L. Mager was dismissed in a surprise early May 2025 action. Finance Manager Dani Burkhart confirmed that Mandy’s last day was May 9, 2025. The firing seems to have sparked a political controversy in the city with some supporting a recall. Mandy started as the Blue Lake city manager in April 2016.

James Lindsay has been appointed Acting City Manager for the City of Lodi. While City Manager Scott Carney is on a 45-day paid administrative leave Jim will serve as Acting City Manager. Jim left the Saratoga city manager post in June 2024 after serving in that position for ten years. He earned a BA in environmental studies from San Jose State University. He is an ICMA Credentialed Manager. Jim began his public service career as a Permit Center Manager for the City of Milpitas in April 2000. He worked as the Milpitas Planning Manager from July 2003 until 2005 when he left public service temporarily for the housing industry. He rejoined the Milpitas staff as Planning & Neighborhood Services Director in October 2007. Jim joined the Saratoga city staff as Community Development Director in October 2011. He became the Saratoga city manager in March 2015. In 2022 he received a 20 Year ICMA Service Award.

Savita Chaudhary is the next Vacaville city manager to replace retiring city manager Aaron Busch in May 2025. Assistant City Manager GeorgeAnne Megger-Smith is serving as interim city manager when Aaron leaves. Savita has served as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Fairfield since July 2023. She worked for Vacaville for nearly 12 years starting in December 2003. She earned a BA in mathematics and an MS in statistics from Delhi University, and an MPA from Golden Gate University.

Irvine City Manager Oliver Chi is the new Santa Monica city manager, succeeding City Manager David White, who resigned in February. He will start on July 14. Oliver was previously city manager in Huntington Beach, Monrovia, and Rosemead. He will take the reins from Interim City Manager Elaine Polachek.

Steven D. Adams, city manager for the city of King City will retire at the end of the year. Steve was appointed city manager in 2015. Prior to coming to King City, he worked assignments for Glendale, Westlake Village and Arroyo Grande, where he was the city manager for more than 14 years from September 2000 until January 2015. He was an Intern with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in March 1982. He also worked Administrative Intern positions in San Luis Obispo and Temple City. Steve earned a BA from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and an MPA from the University of Southern California (USC).

Cupertino City Manager Pamela Wu was placed on leave following a performance evaluation. Pamela became city manager for Cupertino in 2022. She previously worked as the Community and Economic Development Director for the City of San Bruno. Deputy City Manager Tina Kapoor has been appointed Acting City Manager during the city manager’s absence. Pamela earned a BA in architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. She worked in Planning for the County of Santa Clara from February 2001 until she joined the Gilroy planning staff in 2018.

Philip Hawkey served as the Pasadena city manager from June 1990 until April 1998. He worked 17 years for the University of La Verne in various positions, including Special Assistant to the President (2013-2015). Phil later became the Executive Director of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments from September 2015 to September 2017. Phil earned a BA in economics from Baldwin Wallace University, an MA from The Ohio State University and a JD from Cleveland State University, Marshall College of Law.

Leslie L. Doolittle (February 23, 1935-January 27, 2004), who passed away on January 27, 2004, following a lengthy illness, was born February 23, 1935, in Carmel by the Sea. A celebration of life service was held in Oakland on February 14, 2004. Leslie served as an Operations Officers on the U.S.S. Holmes for the United States Navy. He was the city manager for Morgan Hill, La Habra Heights, Newman and Woodside. From 1971 to 1974, Leslie served as the Executive Director for the Association of Monterey Bay Area Governments. He earned a BA from Claremont Men’s College and an MA from Occidental College.

Shorts

  • Congratulations to retired California Contract Cities Association Executive Director Sam Olivito, who turns 90 on July Fourth, and for the recent special recognition he received from Executive Director Marcel Rodarte and the CCCA Board.
  • Daymon Qualls, former Lindsay city manager (2024-2025) and Exeter Public Works Director (2005-2024), was sworn in April 14 as the Farmersville city manager.
  • Former Ojai and La Cañada Flintridge Assistant City Manager Carl Alameda is a member of the City County Management Fellowship Board of Directors for the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy.
  • John Russo, Anthony Gonsalves, Sam Olivito and Jack Simpson were seen enjoying the unique Mexican cuisine of Maracas Cantina in Rancho Mirage earlier this month.
  • A suspect is in custody for the fatal shooting of Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer, found in his patrol car on Sierra Highway in Palmdale earlier this month.
  • HdL Companies Chairman of the Board, Rod Gould served as city manager in Santa Monica, Poway, San Rafael, and Monrovia and earned a BA from Yale University, and a Master’s Degree in education, and an MPA from Harvard University.
  • Pacifica Assistant City Manager Yulia Carter previously worked for San Carlos, Los Altos Hills, Half Moon Bay and Sausalito.
  • Sarah Henry serves as the Communications & Legislative Affairs Officer for the City of Alameda working with City Manager Jen Ott.
  • Former Cypress Public Works Director Doug Dancs accuses City Manager Peter Grant of “…unlawful acts of misconduct.”
  • Hemet City Manager Mark T. Prestwich and his wife of nine years Jennie Prestwich traveled to Dublin, Ireland on an anniversary celebration trip this month.
  • William Rose, who began his public service career working in municipal planning for the cities of Novato, Santa Rosa, Palo Alto and Sausalito, is the new Assistant City Manager for the City of Novato, working with City Manager Amy Cunningham.
  • In Simi Valley, where the city manager is Samantha Argabrite, according to Simi Valley Acorn writer Michele Willer-Allred, “A growing coalition of residents, scientists and advocacy groups…” wants improved air quality measures instituted for the Simi Valley Landfill.
  • Upland/San Bernardino County Fire Captain Andrea Binley began her career as a Fire Explorer with the Upland Fire Department when she was just 19 years old and now she is Chairperson for the Women’s Fire Alliance, helping women pursue careers in firefighting.
  • Janet Wackerman has been selected to serve as the Interim City Manager for the City of Orland following the resignation of former city manager Pete Carr, who served as city manager for 13 years starting in May 2012.
  • Mali LaGoe Chris Huot is the City Manager for the City of Scotts Valley and previously served as the Assistant Executive Officer for Nevada County, California.